Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1887-07-16
DRESS AND FASHION.
American Women said to BE the Best
Dressed In the World.

Dressed in the World.
| think that in dress the American
woman is too apt to follow the flash
ion without regard to the fact whether
a particular article of dress happens to
be becoming to her or not. That is
one reason why some American women
do not appear well dressed. A lady
should dress according to the style of
her face and figure; she should use
elegant material and pay more atten-
ton to the tincness of the fabric than
to the trimmings, She should study
what is becoming to her, and then get
a good fit. If she has n good figure,
very well; if she has not, the dress
maker will have to make it for her.
A woman must study her physical
peculiaritics. Take bonncts, for in
stance: My Idea Is that n woman with
Il marrow, long face should not wear Il
very high bonnet, while one with Il
round face should not wear a very fiat
hat. A tall, thin woman should not
wear stripes, and u short, stout woman
is not apt to appear well in a dress of
check pattern.
| do not think that there has been
too much dressing ON the modern
stage. Our modern plays require that
there shall be rich wardrobcs, and a
woman playing certain parts can
scarcely dress too deliberately. OF
course the dressing should not be put
before the acting, but should be used as
an accessory.
1t is sometimes asked who are the
best dressed women in the world? do
not think that the ordinary English
woman dresses well, but English
women of the higher classes display a
great deal of taste. English ladies do
not dress for the street, while Ameri-
can women do. One habit in this re-
spcct is n matter of great surprise to
our English cousins when they come
over here, and the plainncss of their
street attire is n subject of wonder to
the American women when she prone.
nades the streets of London. Still, it is
a matter of pride to be able TO say
with truth that our American women
are the best dressed women in the
world. You will find that Englisl
actresses, soon after they come to thi,
country, adopt the American styles il
dressing, which, | am sure, is a com
pliment to II good taste. My opin.
ion is that Nine, Modjcska, Fanny
Davenport and Rose Coghlan are tn,
three best dressed actresses on til,
American stage.
An effort has been made in Paris t,
revive the Greek costume. 1t makes
very rich costume, and its flown,
drapenes are very becoming to som,
women. 1t may become popular an,
fashionable for the time being, just u
Japanese o~rnamcntation became popu
lar soon after the "Mikado" was Pre-
duced, about two years ago. But III
Greek costume will be only a f~lcetin,
fashion, just as it was among the VIC
men of Greece.
1t is astonishing how much infiuenc
dress has on ones feelings. In societ
any woman feels at ease il she is cor
scious that her costume is proper an
becoming. And, in the dramatic ar
dress has a great influence on the ac'
resi-. The woman who is portrayin
the character of n society belle wi
feel the part better If her wardrobe
expensive and fashionable. And so |
other parts. When she plays the cha
actcr of a poor girl her poverty of n
tire will serve to remind her of her in
aginary suflerings and help her in gi,
ing proper expression to them. Coul
Lady Gay Spanker describe that hun
ing scene as enthusiastically as {. 81
does if she wore a short lawn dress, il
stead Of a riding-habit? No; belle,
me, that with most actresses the CO
: tune of the character has much to
with awakening professional enthus
asm.
/ am aware that efforts are contil
ually made to .'reform" woman's co
tune, but l do not believe that the
will eve DO any permanent reforr
l certainly not in America where o,
women are so fond Of change. Fashion
will come and 60. 1t may be that
. the evolution Of ''stylc" some improv
: ments may be made, looking to q I
: form in tight lacing and tournures, b
: a woman will always study how
: make herself charming. She will n
fail in her cndeavors to please herse
and (but let me say that very softly
please the sterner sex, too. - Cora Ia
= ner Sim. 10 The Epoch